Happy Birthday, Nikolai Valuev! The Russian Giant turned 35 today. When he entered the breakfast room at Kienbaum´s training facilities this morning, he was in for a special surprise. A delegation from Team Sauerland as well as coach Alexander Zimin and his sparring partners welcomed him with a birthday serenade. Valuev was touched. “I did not expect that at all,” he said. “We have been working so hard and everybody was so focused on the world title fight against Ruiz that I did not expect anybody to take notice of my birthday..”
But Sauerland´s Petra Schneider had more to offer than just a birthday cake and flowers. She presented the Russian Giant a voucher for the “Diggerland” adventure park in a nearby quarry where Valuev will be able to drive real diggers. “That is a funny idea,” the ex-champion smiled. “After going hunting and fishing in Germany I need to tamper with something that is bigger than I am!”
But the biggest surprise was yet to come. His wife Galina had secretly travelled from Russia to Berlin Schoenefeld airport. She drove straight on to Kienbaum to surprise her husband, who could not believe his eyes.
“I have missed her so much,” he enthused. “I have not seen her in such a long time due to the training camp. But now she is here. That is incredible. I could not have asked for a greater birthday present.”
DIBELLA SIGNS TOP PROSPECT TOR HAMER
***DBE Adds #1 Ranked Super Heavyweight Amateur***
NEW YORK (August 20, 2008)— DiBella Entertainment has inked top amateur heavyweight Tor Hamer to a promotional agreement. Hamer had an impressive 34-1 record in the amateurs and he avenged his only loss with a knockout earlier this year.
“Tor is a terrific young heavyweight and I am excited to work with him,” said DiBella Entertainment president Lou DiBella. “He is a beast in the ring and an intelligent, well spoken young man out of it. I am proud to add him to the DBE team.”
The 6’2”, 235-pound powerhouse is currently the number-one ranked Super Heavyweight in the country by USA Boxing. He is the reigning National Golden Gloves Champion and a two-time NY Golden Glove winner. Tor is also the winner of 16 National Championships in four different styles of Martial Arts. “I look forward to working with DiBella Entertainment and strengthening the heavyweight ranks in the new millenium,” said Hamer.
“Tor is a well-rounded person with an amazing attitude,” said DiBella. A graduate of Penn State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, the 25-year old is also a self-proclaimed gym rat and a Certified Personal Trainer. Outside of the ring, Hamer has pursued diverse interests, including acting and modeling.
“Tor will certainly be a terrific pro and has the tools to one day be a superstar,” said DiBella. “There is also no doubt in my mind that he is a high character person who will achieve great success both in and out of the ring.”
Hamer will make his pro debut under the DBE banner on Wednesday October 22 at another edition of DiBella Entertainment’s Broadway Boxing originating from B.B. King Blues Club and Grill in the heart of Times Square. For ticket information, please call DiBella Entertainment at (212) 947-2577 or log onto www.dbe1.com.
FORTHCOMING FRANK WARREN SHOWS
Promoter Frank Warren has released his forthcoming schedule of shows following the major announcement last week confirming that Warren has joined Britain’s premier sports broadcaster Sky:
Saturday 6 September – M.E.N Arena, Manchester – Sky Box Office
British superstar Amir Khan gets the new season off with a bang on Saturday 6 September when he debuts on Sky Box Office.
Khan makes a risky defence of his WBO Intercontinental title against dynamite punching Colombian Breidis Prescott who has 17 knockouts in 19 fights.
The Bolton star also makes his grand entrance into the M.E.N Arena where the modern greats of British boxing like Joe Calzaghe, Ricky Hatton and Nigel Benn have all fought.
WBO World Super-Featherweight Champion Alex Arthur’s defence against Nicky Cook headlines the show with a further three big title fights featuring Paul Smith (English Middleweight Championship) and Femi Fehintola v Stephen Foster Jnr (English Super-Featherweight Championship).
On the undercard 2000 Olympic Champion Audley Harrison, Matthew Macklin, Matthew Hall, Stephen Bell, Anthony Crolla, Denton Vassell, Tony Bellew and Steven Smith are all in action.
Friday 12 September – Grosvenor House, London – Sky Sports
Anthony Small headlines Frank Warren’s Fourth Annual DebRA charity dinner on September 12, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
The three previous events have raised a combined total in excess of £1million, and have been attended by the stars of stage, screen and sport.
In a special UK v USA fight card, Small will take on former Contender star Freddie Curiel.
Top heavyweight prospect Derek Chisora will box over eight rounds, while 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medalists Jamie Cox and Kenny Anderson fight in six rounders.
The money raised will help promote research into the cause, nature, treatment and cure of the agonising skin genetic disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) – often referred to by the medical profession as the worst and least publicised condition in the world.
Friday 26 September – York Hall, Bethnal Green – Sky Sports
Newly crowned British Super-Bantamweight Champion Matthew Marsh makes the first defence of his title against Rocky Dean backed up by a top quality under featuring Tommy Saunders, Grant Skehill, Eddie Corcoran, Vinny Mitchell and the undefeated Walsh brothers: Liam, Michael and Ryan.
Friday 10 October – Everton Park Sports Centre, Liverpool – Sky Sports
British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion Dean Francis defends his titles against undefeated prospect Nathan Cleverley. The undercard features Paul Smith, Denton Vassell, Tony Bellew, Joe Selkirk, Steven Smith, Craig Lyon and the pro-debut of Liam Smith (brother of Paul and Steven).
Friday 31 October – Aston Events Centre – Birmingham – Sky Sports
British Welterweight Champion Kell Brook makes the first defence of his title against former Champion Kevin McIntyre. On the undercard are Birmingham stars Matthew Macklin, Don Broadhurst and Thomas Costello plus the pro debuts of Mo Nasir and Tarik Quaddas.